I believe now is the time to pick on North American Indians. The present Indians are many years away from the world of their ancestors. For the present Indians to lay vast claims for water, land and coastal properties is not fair, nor equal. Treaties or not, they are far removed from generations they came from.

They cannot have their cake and eat it too. They must proclaim they are an Indian nation, separating themselves from government security and live on their own resources. The Indian nation cannot continue to demand everything is theirs. Either they act as full American citizens or accept being an Indian nation, a separate entity, an independent nation rather than a dependent nation of the United States, like Puerto Rico.

It is not like I am cutting the Indians off at the pockets, for they have their casinos, gas stations and smoke shops. Before white man, Indians fought Indians. That was then and here is now. Water must be for all, not just for a select few. Mother nature will tell us how much water is available, forcing all to share. As for how much water is in the stream, it is not for one person, tribe, corporation or government to have the only voice.

The vast coastal waters is another story for tomorrow

Darryl Ehlers

Lynden